Cream dispenser



March 30, 1965 o. H. DUDA 3,175,740

CREAM DISPENSER Filed Sept. 20, 1962 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,175,740 CREAM DISPENSER Otto H. Dude, Bell, Calif-Z, assignor to Calrnar, Inc, Los

' Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Sept. 20, 1962, Ser. No. 225,048 11 Claims. (31. 222 390 This invention relates to improvements in a dispensing device particularly adapted for the dispensing of viscous liquids and pasty or creamy substances.

More particularly the invention relates to improvements in that type of dispenser in which a follower threaded on an externally threaded tubular barrel is movable downwardly within a container to expel its contents upwardly through the tubular barrel incident to relative rotation between the barrel and the follower. In such devices the barrel is customarily rotatably supported through an opening in the container lid, with its depending barrel extending into the container contents, the tubular or hollow barrel normally communicating with a discharge spout exteriorly of the container through which the material is discharged.

In the past such dispensing devices have been assembled from a multiplicity of parts requiring numerous and sometimes difficult assembly steps for assembling the parts with each other and for applying them to the container lid with which they are to associate.

With the foregoing considerations in mind the primary objects of the present invention are to provide an improved dispensing device of the foregoing type which is capable of economical mass production from a minimum of unitarily molded plastic components and in which the components are adapted for assembly both to each other and for application to a container by minimum number of simple assembly operations which may, if desired, be carried out manually.

A further object is to provide such a dispensing device in which there is required only a single positive interconnection between parts exclusive of the threaded follower, to maintain the entire group of parts or components assembled with respect both to each other and to the container.

It is a still further object to provide in such a device a novel disposition and arrangement of fluid flow passages arranged to maintain communication with each other in various positions of relative rotation of the different parts or components defining the respective passages.

Also, it is an object of the invention to incorporate, in conjunction with such flow passages, a novel and extremely simple form of control valve means adapted par-' ticularly for use as a shipping seal, though selectively usable whenever it is desired to positively prevent discharge of material by the device.

For the achievement of these objects, the invention utilizes a supporting bearing adapted to rest on a container lid or other container portion with its bore aligned with an opening through the container portion, together with an exteriorly threaded depending tubular barrel rotatably supported from the hearing by means of a spindle journaled in the bearing, the barrel and bearing having relatively axially opposed portions loosely clamping and positioning the lid between them around its opening. The spindle extends substantially completely through the bore and at its upper end carries an actuating knob accessible for manual engagement to transmit rotary movement to the barrel so that-a follower threaded on the barrel within the container may be urged axially along 3,175,740 Patented Mar. 30, 1%65 "ice tion are secured together against axial separation by means of the knob which is applied to the spindle end of the barrel and after the latter has been inserted through the bore in the bearing. Since the knob will normally be of greater diameter than the bore, its fixed connection to the spindle will serve to maintain the barrel and bearing in their assembled relation with the container lid loosely clamped between them. The knob preferably also serves the additional function of closing one end of the bore through the bearing to assist in defining an annular connecting passage around a reduced diameter end portion of the spindle.

The arrangement of the fiuid passages to permit discharge of the container contents during relative rotation between various of the parts is provided by the aforesaid connecting passage which encircles the spindle portion of the barrel within the bore and is jointly defined by both the barrel and the bearing, and which communicates with a delivery passage through the barrel and also with a discharge passage through the bearing.

Further features consist in the unitary formation within the bearing of the discharge spout through which the discharge passage extends and in providing a flow control tab or valve element carried by the barrel for rotation therewith in position to selectively control the flow through the discharge passage.

The foregoing as well as other incidental features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the preferred exemplification of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is an axial section through a container having the preferred embodiment of the invention applied thereto,

FIGURES 2 and 3 are sectional views along the lines 2-2 and 3-3 respectively of FIGURE 1.

Referring now in detail to the accompanying drawing there is shown a generally conventional cylindrical cream jar 10 which may be of glass, plastic or other usual materials. The interior of the jar is of uniform diameter to accommodate the follower or plunger, hereinafter referred to in more detail, and the jar also includes a disclike lid or closure 12 having a depending marginal skirt 14-. The jar and lid are shown as being removably secured in place with respect to each other by means of a radially inwardly projecting flange 16 at the lower edge of the skirt, the lid being of a somewhat resilient plastic or other material so that in applying the lid its inwardly projecting flange 16 may first bespread outwardly and then snapped inwardly beneath the retaining beading 18 around the outside of the jar.

The lid 12 is shown as being formed with a central circular opening 20 for reception of the dispensing device of the invention. The device itself comprises a bearing or bearing member 22 adapted to be formed by usual plastic molding operations from plastic materials. The

bearing member is formed with a cylindrical bore 24 annular rib 28 also concentric to the bore for snug disposition through the lid opening and serving to center the bearing with its bore in axial alignment with the opening, as well as to resist rotation of the bearing on the lid.

A rotary pump barrel 30 has a generally cylindrical spindle portion 32 rotatably journaled in the bore of the bearing. In assembling the parts this spindle 32 will normally be projected upwardly into the bearing from the underside of the lid and through the opening in the lid. Rotatably supported by the spindle or spindle portion 32 of the barrel is the externally threaded tubular portion 34 which depends axially from the spindle for disposition within the container. Preferably its downwardly opening lower end is disposed at or just above the bottom of the container, whereby it may function to remove a maximum amount of the container contents.

It will be seen that the barrel 30 preferably includes a radial flange 36 at the upper end of its tubular threaded portion. This flange abuts the lower edge of the annular rib 28, which serves as a gauge to prevent the flange from pressing so tightly against the under surface of the lid as to bind against it and thereby impede the rotation of the barrel. It will be seen moreover that the relatively opposed flanges 26 and 36 of the bearing and the barrel serve to loosely clamp between them the lid. While the barrel 30 is freely rotatable with respect to the lid as well as the bearing, it is desirable that the bearing itself be restrained against rotation. The snug reception of the depending annular rib 28 within the lid opening may be relied upon for this purpose, although if desired the flange 26 of the bearing may be adhesively or otherwise secured to the lid.

The follower or plunger 38 has an internally threaded central opening 40 by which it is concentrically threaded onto the depending portion 34 of the barrel within the container, the outer periphery of the follower being in snug wiping engagement with the cylindrical wall of the container, whereby downward movement of the follower 38 incident to relative rotation of the barrel will force the jar contents into the tubular barrel portion through the inlet opening 42 and upwardly through its interior delivery passage comprising the interconnected passage sections 44, 46 and 48.

Normally the follower 38 is maintained stationary by its frictional engagement with the jar contents and, if desired, such engagement may be rendered more positive by the formation of radial ribs 50 on the under surface of the follower to provide a positive gripping action with the contents. These ribs may also serve to reinforce and stiifen the follower. However, it is desirable that the outer peripheral portion of the follower be formed with a comparatively flexible feather edge 52 in order to better conform to slight irregularities in the surface and shape of the inner periphery of the container. To this end of the follower preferably is made from a comparatively flexible resilient material such as linear polyethylene.

In order to provide for rotation of the barrel 30 from the exterior of the container, the barrel includes an operating knob 54 which is fixedly secured, as by gluing, to the upper end of the barrel spindle, the knob 54 being of greater diameter than the bore so as to rotatably abut against the adjacent axial end of the bearing 22 around the bore. The axial position of the knob 54 is such as to maintain the bearing 22 and barrel 3ft properly assembled in their clamping relation with respect to the container lid 12. Preferably the upper surface of the knob is roughened in any suitable manner, as shown at 56 in order to facilitate its manual rotation.

The bearing 22 and the spindle portion of the barrel jointly define a connecting passage 58 encircling the spindle and functioning to establish communication between the passages 44, 46, 48 through the barrel and the discharge passage 60 through the bearing in various positions of relative rotation of these parts. To this end it will be seen that the spindle 24 is substantially axially coextensive with the bore and the upper end portion 62 of the spindle is of a relatively smaller diameter than the bore to thus cooperate with the bore in jointly defining the concentric sidewalls and bottom wall of the encircling connecting passage 58, while the upper wall of the passage is defined by the actuating knob preferably through its annular depending wall 64 which is snugly received within the upper portion of the annular recess defined between the reduced diameter spindle portion and the inner periphery of the bore. In the embodiment illustrated the intake or delivery pasage through the barrel extends from the intake opening 42 adjacent its lower end axially up wardly through the communicating passage sections 44 and 46 as shown and communicates with the connecting passage 58 through the radial port 4-8 also constituting a portion of the delivery passage. The discharge passage 60 through the bearing 22 has its inner end communicating normally with the connecting passage 58. Preferably this discharge passage extends radially through an outwardly projecting discharge spout 66 which may be molded integrally with the bearing as a unitary part thereof.

To provide a suitable means for preventing inadvertent discharge or leakage of the container contents outwardly through the discharge spout during shipping, or at such other times as may be desired, there is provided a closure tab or valve element 68 carried by the barrel for rotary movement therewith through the connecting passage 58 into and from obstructing relation with respect to the inner end of the discharge passage. It has been found advantageous to form such a tab or valve element 68 simply as a unitary depending portion of the knob 54 extending downwardly from the annular depending rib 64 thereof.

For increasing the strength of the interconnection be tween the knob and the barrel, as well as for facilitating the accurate assembling of these parts in concentric re lation, it is desirable to form the knob with a depending central stem 70 projecting slightly in advance of the annular rib 64 and having its free end slightly tapered to function as a pilot for insertion in the upperwardly opening passage section 46 of the barrel. This also facilitates the complete sealing of the passage section.

In the operation of the invention which is believed to be apparent from the foregoing, it will be necessary only to press the hand against the upper surface of the knob 54, or alternatively to grip the outer periphery of the knob and to impart a rotational movement thereto in adirection to urge the nonrotating follower 3t downwardly within the jar. This in turn will urge the contents of: the jar inwardly through the lower end openings 42 of the barrel, thence upwardly through the intake passage sections 44, 46 and 48 into the encircling connecting passage 58 thence into and through the discharge passage 60 and spout 66. It will be apparent that once during each rotation of the knob 54 and barrel 30 the closure tab or valve 68 will obstruct the inner end of the discharge passage 60 and will thereby temporarily interrupt the discharge from passage 66. However, the circumferential extent of this tab 68 will normally be but slight, so that the interruption of flow will be substantially negligible.

Whenever it is desired to seal the discharge passage 60 in order to prevent escape of the contents therethrough, as for instance during shipping or transportation, the knob 54 may be rotated to such a position as to bring the tab 68 into its obstructing relation over the inner end of the discharge passage 60. This position may be readily ascertained from the exterior by the provision of suitable indicia (not shown) on the bearing member 22 and knob 54 respectively to be brought into registry when the valve is to be closed.

In this application I have shown and described only the preferred embodiment of my invention simply by way of exemplification. However, I recognize that the invention is capable of other and different embodiments and that its details may be modified in various ways all without departing from the invention as defined in the accompanying claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A cream dispenser comprising a container lid having an opening therethrough, a bearing member formed with a cylindrical bore therethrough, means for securing said bearing member over and with its bore aligned with the opening through the container lid, a rotary barrel having a spindle portion rotatably received in said bore, and an externally threaded portion depending axially from said spindle portion, an internally threaded follower disc disposed for relative rotational movement on and in threaded engagement with said threaded portion, said barrel including an operating knob fixed to the spindle portion and projecting externally from said bore to facilitate rotary movement of the barrel, said bearing member and said barrel jointly defining a connecting passage within said bore encircling the spindle portion, said barrel and said bearing member respectively being formed with an intake passage and a discharge passage normally communicating with each other through said connecting passage in varying relative rotational positions of the hearing member and barrel, said intake passage extending generally axially through the barrel from an intake opening adjacent the depending end of its threaded portion.

2. A cream dispenser as defined in claim 1, including a closure tab carried by the barrel within said connecting passage for rotary movement through said connecting passage into and from obstructing relation with said discharge passage.

3. A cream dispenser comprising a bearing member formed with a cylindrical bore therethrough, means for securing said bearing member over and with its bore aligned with an opening through a container lid, a rotary barrel having a spindle portion rotatably received in said bore, and an externally threaded portion depending axially from said spindle portion, a follower disposed for relative rotary movement on and in threaded engagement with said threaded portion, said bearing member and said barrel jointly defining a connecting passage within said bore encircling the barrel, said barrel and said bearing member respectively being formed with an intake passage and a discharge passage normally communicating with each other through said connecting passage in varying relative rotational positions of the bearing and barrel, said intake passage extending generally axially through the barrel from an intake opening adjacent the depending end of its threaded portion.

4. A cream dispenser comprising a bearing member formed with a cylindrical bore therethrough, means for securing said bearing member on and with its bore aligned with an opening through a container, a rotary barrel having a spindle portion rotatably received in said bore, and an externally threaded portion depending axially from said spindle portion, said bearing member and said barrel jointly defining a connecting passage within said bore encircling the spindle portion, said barrel and said bearing member respectively being formed with an intake passage and a discharge passage normally communicating with each other through said connecting passage in varying relative rotational positions of the bearing member and barrel, said intake passage extending through the barrel from an intake opening adjacent the depending end of its threaded portion.

5. A dispenser as defined in claim 4, including a closure tab carried by the barrel within said connecting passage for rotary movement through said connecting passage into and from obstructing relation With said discharge passage.

6. A dispenser as defined in claim 4, in which said hearing member includes a discharge spout through. which said discharge passage extends.

7. A cream dispenser comprising a bearing member formed with a cylindrical bore therethrough, a rotary barrel having a spindle portion rotatably received in said bore, and an externally threaded tubular portion depend ing axially from said spindle portion, a follower disposed for relative rotational movement on and in threaded engagement with said threaded portion, said barrel including an operating knob fixed to the spindle above said bearing member and in rotary axial abutment therewith to facilitate rotary movement of the barrel, said bearing member and said barrel jointly defining a connecting passage within said bore encircling the spindle portion, said barrel and said bearing member respectively being formed with an intake passage and a discharge passage normally communicating with each other through said connecting passage in varying relative rotational positions of the hearing member and barrel, said intake passage extending through the barrel from an intake opening adjacent the depending end of its threaded portion.

8. A a cream dispenser comprising a container lid having an opening therethrough, a bearing member formed with a cylindrical bore therethrough, means for securing said bearing member over and with its bore aligned with the opening through the container lid, a rotary barrel having a spindle portion rotatably received in said bore, and an externally threaded portion depending axially from said spindle portion, a follower disposed for relative rotational movement on and in threaded engagement with said threaded portion, said barrel including an operating knob fixed to the spindle and projecting externally from said bore to facilitate rotary movement of the barrel, said bearing member and said barrel jointly defining within said bore a connecting passage encircling the spindle portion, said barrel and said bearing member respectively being formed with an intake passage and a discharge passage both normally communicating with said connecting passage in varying relative rotation positions of the bearing and barrel, said intake passage extending generally axially through the barrel from an intake opening adjacent the depending end of said threaded barrel portion.

9. A cream dispenser comprising a container lid, a bearing member supported on said lid formed with an opening therethrough and formed with a cylindrical bore therethrough aligned with said opening through the container lid, an annular depending rib on said bearing member concentric to the bore disposed through said opening, a pump barrel having a spindle portion rotatably received in said bore, and an externally threaded portion depending axially from said spindle portion, said barrel further including a radial flange at the base of its said spindle portion abutting against said annular rib and adapted for rotary engagement with the under surface of the lid around said opening, a follower disposed for relative rotary movement on and in threaded engagement with said threaded portion, said barrel including an actuating knob fixed to its spindle portion above said bearing mem her, said knob rotatably abutting against the adjacent axial end of the bearing member around the bore to retain the spindle portion therein and to close the upper end of said bore, said bearing member, spindle portion and knob jointly defining a connecting passage encircling the spindle portion, said barrel and said bearing respectively being formed with an intake passage and a discharge passage normally communicating with each other through said connecting passage.

10. A cream dispenser comprising a container lid, formed with an opening therethrough, a bearing member resting on said lid and formed with a cylindrical bore therethrough aligned with said opening through the container lid, an annular depending rib on said bearing member concentric to the bore for disposition through said opening, a pump barrel having a spindle portion rotatably received in said bore, and an externally threaded portion depending axially from said spindle portion, said barrel further including a radial flange at the base of its said spindle portion abutting against said annular rib and adapted for rotary engagement with the under surface of the lid around said opening, a threaded follower disc disposed for relative rotary movement on and in threaded engagement with said threaded portion, said barrel including an actuating knob fixed to its spindle portion above said bearing member, said knob rotatably abutting against the adjacent axial end of the bearing member around said bore to retain the bearing member and barrel in assembled relation to each other and to said lid, said bearing member and said spindle portion jointly defining a a connecting passage encircling the spindle portion, said.

spindle portion being axially coextensive with said bore:

and the upper end of said spindle portion being of relatively smaller diameter than the bore to partially define: :said passage, an annular Wall on said knob being received in the bore around said smaller diameter end to complete the definition of said connecting passage, said barrel and said bearing respectively being formed with an intake passage and a radially directed discharge passage normally communicating with each other through said connecting passage.

11. A cream dispenser comprising a container lid, formed with an opening therethrough, a bearing member resting on said lid and formed with a cylindrical bore therethrough aligned with said opening through the container lid, an annular depending rib on said bearing member concentric to the bore for disposition through said opening, a pump barrel having a spindle portion rotatably received in said bore, and an externally threaded portion depending axially from said spindle portion, said barrel further including a radial flange at the base of its said spindle portion abuting against said annular rib; and adapted for rotary engagement with the under surface of the lid around said opening, a threaded follower di'sc' disposed for relative rotary movement on and in threaded engagement with said threaded portion, said barrel inzeluding an actuating knob fixed to its spindle portion above said bearing member, said knob rotatably abuttingagainst the adjacent axial end of the bearing member around said bore to retain the bearing member and barrel in assembled relation to each other and to said lid, said bearing member and said spindle portion jointly defining a connecting passage encircling the spindle portion, said spindle portion being axially coextensive with said bore and the vupper end of said spindle portion being of relatively smaller diameter than the bore to partially define said passage, an annular wall on said knob being received in the bore around said smaller diameter end to complete the definition of said connecting passage, said barrel and said bearing respectively being formed with an intake passage and a radially directed discharge passage normally communicating with each other through said conmeeting passage, said bearing member being fixed to said lid including a radially projecting discharge spout through which said discharge passage extends and opens radially into said encircling connecting passage, said intake passage extending generally axially through the barrel from an intake opening adjacent its depending end and opening radially into said encircling connecting passage, and a closure tab carried by said barrel for rotary movement through said connecting passage into and from obstructing relation with respect to said discharge passage.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,487,642 Waltoff Nov. 8, 1949 2,656,953 Rich Oct. 27, 1953 2,752,069 Welsh June 26, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 446,344 Great Britain a Apr. 27, 1936. 

1. A CREAM DISPENSER COMPRISING A CONTAINER LID HAVING AN OPENING THERETHOROUGH, A BEARING MEMBER FORMED WITH A CYLINDRICAL BORE THERETHROUGH, MEANS FOR SECURING SAID BEARING MEMBER OVER AND WITH ITS BORE ALIGNED WITH THE OPENING THROUGH THE CONTAINER LID, A ROTARY BARREL HAVING A SPINDLE PORTION ROATABLY RECEIVED IN SAID BORE, AND AN EXTERNALLY THREADED PORTION DEPENDING AXIALLY FROM SAID SPINDLE PORTION, AN INTERNALLY THREADED FOLLOWER DISC DISPOSED FOR RELATIVE ROTATIONAL MOVEMENT ON AND IN THREADED ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID THREADED PORTION, SAID BARREL INCLUDING AN OPERATING KNOB FIXED TO THE SPINDLE PORTION AND PROJECTING EXTERNALLY FROM SAID BORE TO FACILITATE ROTARY MOVEMENT OF THE BARREL, SAID BEARING MEMBER AND SAID BARREL JOINTLY DEFINING A CONNECTING PASSAGE WITHIN SAID BORE ENCIRCLING THE SPINDLE PORTION, SAID BARREL AND SAID BEARING MEMBER RESPECTIVELY BEING FORMED WITH AN INTAKE PASSAGE AND A DISCHARGE PASSAGE NORMALLY COMMUNICATING WITH EACH OTHER THROUGH SAID CONNECTING PASSAGE IN VARYING RELATIVE ROTATIONAL POSITIONS OF THE BEARING MEMBER AND BARREL, SAID INTAKE PASSAGE EXTENDING GENERALY AXIALLY THROUGH THE BARREL FROM AN INTAKE OPENING ADJACENT THE DEPENDING END OF ITS THREADED PORTION. 